20 Songs You Need To Listen To Now (July 2013)

Once upon a time, the only way you could find out about new music was by being a mag head. Flipping through pages took you away from the Top 40 and introduced the James Blakes, the Ted Leos, and the Ty Segalls of the world. For most, nothing felt better than throwing a new artist onto their third generation iPod and falling into the deep end of a different sound, and that’s where this feature comes in. Every month, we’ll mess with nostalgia and generate a staff-selected mix of new tracks and re-works that you may have missed, introducing a goodie bag of vices that deserve a spot in your rotation. Showing off every genre, here are 20 Songs You Need To Listen To Now.

CHILDISH GAMBINO – “CENTIPEDE”The Great Gambino abandons royalty to chime about trade-offs, lessons and how his wallet is Azalea.

TV ON THE RADIO – “MERCY”With the cry of guitars, the Brooklyn quartet arm and detonate a gritty electro landscape without fear.

THE NAKED AND FAMOUS – “HEARTS LIKE OURS”Alisa Xayalith isn’t afraid of big choruses as this pop piece swims over wavy synth and a desire to blossom.

HAIM – “THE WIRE”Tapping their feet with the swagger of Fleetwood Mac, the sisters prove they can out-write everyone.
CRYSTAL STILTS – “STAR CRAWL”Skinning Sacred Bones alive with a new LP, the group’s cut rips one out for the weed-carrying lovebirds.
NO AGE – “AN IMPRESSION”The L.A. duo give depth a shot and produce a heavy-hearted model of building something genuine with your hands.

MAC DEMARCO – “YOUNG BLOOD”The Canadian wonder kicks out a new one that’s fueled by Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe and pepperoni pizza.

LIZ x RYAN HEMSWORTH – “DAY N’ NITE”Presenting “Dilemma” 2.0, the twosome link up for a hazy pop collab that will transfigure you 24/7.
THE WEEKND – “BELONG TO THE WORLD”Portishead or no Portishead, Abel uncages his falsetto while standing in the middle of some lovestruck disturbia.
R. KELLY – “MY STORY” (FT. 2 CHAINZ)Versace, versace, versace – Kels bonds with modern rap and recruits a fitting 2 Chainz verse that sticks like velcro.

MAPS FOR TRAVELERS – “GOOD LIFE”Extracted from ETID and Envy On The Coast, No Sleep’s latest signing throws a grenade over your shoulder.
SOME MINOR NOISE – “UNDERSTANDING”The Toronto-based duo show how poignant electro can be by gift-wrapping vox and synths with ambition.
FRANCIS LUNG – “AGE LIMITS”Wu Lyf’s former bassist strangles life-long reflections with a layered number that finds piece in being naked.